GROUND LIST

Saturday 25 September 2021

EVERTON WOMEN (Walton Hall Park)

FA WOMEN'S SUPER LEAGUE, EVERTON 3-1 BIRMINGHAM CITY, ATTENDANCE: c700

Finally, after an 18 month wait, today brought about the opportunity to watch Everton play at their new ground at Walton Hall Park. I wasn't the only one drawn to this televised early kick off, with plenty of familiar faces in the crowd.

The ground has been redeveloped for use by the Everton Women's team in the grounds of Walton Hall Park, which is also the home Liverpool County FA. It currently has a capacity of 1,500 but this will be increased to around 2,200. There is 500 seat stand in place and there are plans for a covered terrace to be built on the opposite side, which should be completed by the end of 2021.


The ground was due to host the first game in September 2019 but delays meant the first game at the ground wasn't played until February 2020, Everton suffering a 3-2 loss to Manchester United.

Everton have had a tough start playing, and losing, to both Manchester City and Chelsea without scoring a goal. Today provided the opportunity to bounce back and claim their first victory of the season against a Birmingham City side also yet to win.

German international Leonie Maier scored on her Everton debut after 13 minutes when Grace Clinton's blocked effort found it's way to her on the edge of the box and she curled her shot into the bottom corner, via a slight deflection.

Everton were dominating the possession but not really creating any clear cut chances, Birmingham even less so, but on 32 minutes the visitors were level. Jade Pennock created space for herself and drove into the area to fire past Sandy MacIver in the Toffees goal. A fine strike.

I thought that was a great finish but Everton's record signing, Hanna Bennison, went even better on 73 minutes. After neat link up play with Toni Duggan, the 18 year old Swedish International hit a superb shot into top corner to restore The Toffees lead.

Victory was confirmed in stoppage time when Danish international Rikke Sevecke rose to head home an Izzy Christiansen corner. The three points lifted Everton off the bottom of the table and hopefully now the only way is up.

From Walton Hall Park it is approximately a 20 minute walk to Goodison Park where the Everton male counterparts beat Norwich City 2-0 to complete a good day all round. Up the Toffees!





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